Casper Wells Makes AFL All Star Game

SURPRISE, AZ - Schenectady High School graduate Casper Wells continues turning heads.  The Detroit Tigers prospect has earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Star Showcase this Saturday night.  Wells plays for the Peoria Javelinas, who lead the AFL's West Division at 12-6.

Wells is among the AFL’s batting leaders in virtually every category. He is hitting .357 with three doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBIs in 42 at-bats.  His fall season was highlighted by a booming grand slam off of Washington Nationals' #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg.

“Casper has done well with the bat and defensively,” Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

A hand injury suffered in April cost Wells the first half of the 2009 season.  He returned to hit .260 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs in 86 games for Double-A Erie.  The 24-year-old centerfielder has spent the past year on Detroit's 40 man roster, but has yet to make his major league debut.

The Rising Star Showcase will be televised at 8:15 p.m. Saturday by the MLB Network. A live video feed also will be available at mlb.com.